Saturday, December 31, 2011

Why Are So Many Afraid of Tim Tebow?

So why does Tebow’s expression of faith make people so silly-crazy? Why do they care what he does?

Because he emphasizes the aspect of his talent that is given, not earned.

And that makes people nervous.

She continues:

Belittle Tebow if you must. But the trouble with shouting down Tebow’s religion, never mind the sheer offensiveness, is the same trouble with shouting down any other form of inspired expression. Do that, and you also shout down mystery, possibility, surprise. And some perfectly good questions. You drown out an awful lot that’s of interest, whether you agree with it or not.

So much commentary about Tebow -- whether related to football or religion -- is done with a bludgeon, not with nuance (let alone intelligence or thoughtfulness -- see Bill Maher). This is a great take on what so many seem to feel is a hyper-complicated topic.

Happy new year, everyone. Thanks for your continued support of TimTeblog.com.

Look, I'm a Christian myself and I'm irritated by this practice of Tebow's. I was irritated years back when Jim Harbaugh did it, too. I actually don't care if part of his talent is "given," so in that sense I disagree with what Jenkins is saying here. He certainly has a right to say it; however, I have a right to find it annoying.

It's annoying to me because so many people are lauding him as a spiritual hero SIMPLY BECAUSE he says this rote thing after his wins. Does he say the same thing after he loses? I've never seen footage of him after his losses, but I'd be curious whether he's still "thanking his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." Shouldn't he thank Jesus either way? Be thankful that he gets to play football, win or lose, and make a busload of money most people will never see?

His regular recitation of this seems just that: a recitation. It strikes me as something he says to seem like a good Christian but the sum total of his Christianity is not contained in that one sentence, now is it? That's not the measure of his faith, right? That little sentence? So why are Christians jumping all up and down in joy because he says this automatic, unthinking thing? I don't think he should be vilified for it, nor do I think he should be praised so much for it either.

Here's what I think he needs to weigh in his mind before he says this: How much does this rote repetition of that sentence week after week actually glorify God vs. how much does it reinforce the image of Christians as unthinking yokels who actually believe God cares about the outcome of a football game?

I don't think he's doing anything for the actual *cause* of Christ in saying that over and over and I DO think he's further harming the perception of his fellow Christians as a bit, well, moronic and robotic.

If someone steps forward and says, "I became a Christian BECAUSE Tim Tebow thanked his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after every game," then I might change my opinion on that.

He can thank God all he wants. He doesn't need to do it publicly.

Ah, but look at all the press he gets for it. (Could that be the *actual* reason he does it, one wonders cynically?)